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My comments weren't saying if you have ropes, picks and a spud bar then you can fish when ever on what ever thickness of ice and your good to go. I'm stating that if you are prepared and use common sense then it makes the ice a lot safer. For me it's 3". Maybe for someone else it's 2" or 4" or even 6". I can tell you this though most these guys on here that are talking about fishing on 2" of hard ice are experienced ice fisherman and I would say they are a lot safer on 2" then a bunch of idiots drinking beer and socializing out on 6". It's like anything in life there are going to be risks but the more prepared and experienced you are at what you are doing and the body of water your doing it on the safer it is. To call these guys who say they fish on 2" of hard ice are idiots is wrong. I guess I'm wrong for hunting the back country where there are bears cuss some guys got mawled last year, or its Idiotic to kayak cuss people drowned doing that. All I'm saying is the ice is as safe as you make it. Being prepared, knowing the body of water your on and using commen sense is a safer approach than just saying I need 5" and I'm good to go!
The only close call I've ever had was at dawn on Salmon Lake on 20" of ice. 15" of fresh wet snow bridged an unmarked spearing hole and I went in over my head in deep water. I was alone and the picks saved me. Lost my glasses and ruined my day. Always always always carry picks even if there are pickups on the ice. Please mark your spear holes well. I always think about if that had been a kid.
Safe ice is all one's perspective though.